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Sanaa Lathan Headshot

Sanaa Lathan

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Sanaa Lathan is the daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan. Her career began after she appeared in the shows In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Lathan later garnered further prominence after starring in the 1998 superhero film Blade, which followed with film roles in The Best Man (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Disappearing Acts (2000), and Brown Sugar (2002).



In 2004, Lathan's performance in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun, earned her a nomination at the Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Following this, she played the role of Alexa "Lex" Woods in the film Alien vs. Predator. In 2008, she landed a leading role in film The Family That Preys by Tyler Perry. Lathan returned to theatre work in 2010, starring in the all-black performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre in London. She reprised her role as Robyn in the Christmas-themed sequel of The Best Man, in The Best Man Holiday (2013). In 2022, she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, for her work on the television series Succession.

As a voice actress, from (2009 to 2013), she voiced Donna Tubbs in The Cleveland Show and in all concurrent and subsequent Family Guy appearances, as well as Catwoman on Harley Quinn. Her other notable film credits include Out of Time (2003), Something New (2006), Wonderful World (2009), Contagion (2011), Repentance (2013), The Perfect Guy (2015), and Now You See Me 2 (2016). Lathan also made her directorial debut with the film On the Come Up in 2022.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2011
Vera Stark


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Beneatha Younger


[Off-Broadway]
2001
Isabella


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Tamara


Movies

Drive
[ 1997 ] Carolyn Brody
Blade
[ 1998 ] Vanessa
The Wood
[ 1999 ] Alicia
Life
[ 1999 ] Daisy
Catfish in Black Bean Sauce
[ 1999 ] Nina
The Best Man
[ 1999 ] Robin
Love & Basketball
[ 2000 ] Monica Wright
Brown Sugar
[ 2002 ] SidneySydShaw
Out of Time
[ 2003 ] Ann Merai Harrison
Alien vs. Predator
[ 2004 ] Alexa Woods
Something New
[ 2006 ] Kenya Denise McQueen
The Family That Preys
[ 2008 ] Andrea
Powder Blue
[ 2009 ] Diana
Wonderful World
[ 2009 ] Khadi
Contagion
[ 2011 ] Aubrey Cheever
Repentance
[ 2013 ] Maggie Carter
The Best Man Holiday
[ 2013 ] Robyn
The Perfect Guy
[ 2015 ] Leah
Now You See Me 2
[ 2016 ] Deputy Director Natalie Austin
Approaching the Unknown
[ 2016 ] Emily Maddox
American Assassin
[ 2017 ] Irene Kennedy
Nappily Ever After
[ 2018 ] Violet
Native Son
[ 2019 ] Trudy Thom
On the Come Up
[ 2022 ] Jay
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat
[ 2024 ] Barbara Jean

TV Shows

Family Guy
Donna Tubbs, Fangirl, Backup Singer
Harley Quinn
Catwoman
The Affair
Janelle Wilson
The Cleveland Show
Donna Tubbs
Chinook
Agent V.B. Loro
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Sibby Sanders
Family Guy
[ 2010-2024 ] Donna Tubbs
The Justice
Elizabeth Garner
Family Guy
[ 1999-2025 ] Donna TubbsBackup SingerFangirlMuhammad Ali's WifeClair Huxtable (voice)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
[ 2022-2025 ] Betty Davis (voice)

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Sanaa Lathan, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark


winner
The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Sanaa Lathan, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2004 - Performance

Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun

Videos

News


Video: Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss & More in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Season 12 Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 8, 2025

Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss, Tracy Letts, and more are opening up the family archives in the Season 12 trailer of Finding Your Roots. The new season will premiere on January 6, 2026. Watch the trailer now!
Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo, Marisa Tomei and More to Star in THIS IS CRAZY at Symphony Space
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 11, 2025

Tony and Obie award-winning playwright V, formerly Eve Ensler, has created THIS IS CRAZY! to benefit The National Alliance on Mental Illness. See who is starring and learn how to attend.
Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo, Marisa Tomei & More Will Take Part in THIS IS CRAZY
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 11, 2025

Tony and Obie award-winning playwright V, formerly Eve Ensler, has created THIS IS CRAZY!, a bold, funny, and moving new play to benefit The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  We have all of the details here!
Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss, & More Join FINDING YOUR ROOTS Season 12
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 19, 2025

PBS's Finding Your Roots has announced its Season 12 lineup, with a celebrity guest roster that includes Tony Award winners Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss, and Tracy Letts.
THE PROUD FAMILY: LOUDER AND PROUDER to Return for Season 3 in August
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 2, 2025

Season three of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” will premiere Thursday, Aug. 6 on Disney+. Ahead of the summer debut, the series has also been renewed for a fourth season, coming to Disney+ in 2026.  
Jon Hamm, Ana De La Reguera, and John Slattery Star In Audible's THE BIG FIX: A JACK BERGIN MYSTERY
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 8, 2025

The cinematic audio drama, The Big Lie, with a new installment titled The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery. The new season debuts exclusively from Audible on Thursday, April 24.
Jon Hamm, Ana De La Reguera, & More Return for New Installment of Audible's THE BIG LIE
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2025

Audible Inc. and Fresh Produce Media have announced the return of the cinematic audio drama, The Big Lie, with a new installment titled The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery. This eight-part series brings Jon Hamm back as Jack Bergin, a former FBI agent turned private investigator.
THE PIANO LESSON, WICKED & More Receive NAACP Image Awards Nominations
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2025

NAACP has announced the full list of “56th NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with Wicked and The Piano Lesson nominated for Outstanding Motion Picture and Wicked's Cynthia Erivo nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
Colman Domingo, Angelina Jolie, & More Win Awards at The Gothams
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 3, 2024

The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced the winners of the 34th edition of The Gothams at a ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Announces Liz Diamond as New SDCF Board President
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2024

Liz Diamond, Jonathan Parker, and Barbara Whitman have been announced as new members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Board of Trustees, bringing their extensive experience to the organization.
Video: Watch Trailer for THE SUPREMES AT EARL'S ALL YOU CAN EAT
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 9, 2024

The trailer for Searchlight and Hulu's The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat has been released. The movie features several stage alums, including the central trio Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Sanaa Lathan. Watch the trailer now!
See Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, & More in Poster for THE SUPREMES AT EARL'S ALL YOU CAN EAT
by Josh Sharpe - May 13, 2024

A new poster for Searchlight's The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, which features several Broadway and theatre alums, has been released. The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat follows a trio of best friends (Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan) known as “The Supremes” who, for decades, have weathered life’s storms together through marriage and children, happiness and blues. Now, as heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship, Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice see their bond put to the test as they go through their most challenging times yet.
Director Rebecca Aparicio To Receive SDCF's 2024 Barbara Whitman Award
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 29, 2024

Established by theatrical producer Barbara Whitman in 2021, this award recognizes a woman, trans, or non-binary director who has developed a clear and distinctive artistic voice and demonstrated unique vision in their theatrical work.
Video: Watch Sanaa Lathan & HGTV Week on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW
by Michael Major - Feb 21, 2024

Discover the latest on HGTV Week featuring Sanaa Lathan, Egypt Sherrod, and Mike Jackson. Dive into behind-the-scenes stories and insights from 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' writer. Watch new videos from the episode now!
Video: SHUCKED Songwriter Brandy Clark Visits THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW
by Michael Major - Feb 20, 2024

Grammy Award-winning country music artist Brandy Clark stops by and tells Jennifer about her first Grammy win after 17 nominations, revealing how she knew she'd won before her name was announced.  Brandy also shares how her collaboration with Brandi Carlile came about. Watch the new videos from the episode now!
Video: Watch HGTV Week & Will.i.am on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW
by Michael Major - Feb 19, 2024

WILL.I.AM discusses surprise Super Bowl performance and thoughts on artificial intelligence. HGTV's Brian Kleinschmidt shares 'American Idol' audition experience and working with wife Mika. Watch the videos from the episode now!
Vide: Watch Billy Gardell on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW
by Michael Major - Feb 16, 2024

Jennifer looks ahead to the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, February 16, and performing during half-time for the All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18. Then Billy Gardell joins Jennifer and reflects on getting his big break in “Mike and Molly” with Melissa McCarthy. Watch the videos from the episode!
THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Teams With HGTV For Special Week Of Programming
by Michael Major - Feb 15, 2024

Stars from across HGTV's leading home renovation and lifestyle series will join the nationally syndicated talk show February 19-23, including Home Town's Erin & Ben Napier, Page Turner from Rock the Block, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt from 100 Day Dream Home, and Egypt Sherrod & Mike Jackson from Married to Real Estate.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Announces 2024 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 12, 2023

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company announces a season of performance, residencies, and exciting community activities that features new works, new productions, and most importantly welcomes new choreographers, dancers, artists, and collaborators to create groundbreaking work that bridges the cultural divide, gives honor and justice to diverse heritage, and amplify the artistic voices seldom heard outside the immigrant community.
HBO Acquires GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT Documentary Film
by Michael Major - Aug 29, 2023

From directors and producers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson (“American Promise,” “Stateless”), producer Tommy Oliver (HBO’s “40 Years A Prisoner,” “Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss”), and executive producers Taraji P. Henson and Codie Elaine Oliver, the film premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Sanaa Lathan been in?

Sanaa Lathan has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Sanaa Lathan been in?

Sanaa Lathan has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Sanaa Lathan been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark , Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun.

What awards has Sanaa Lathan won?

Sanaa Lathan has won the Outstanding Lead Actress award from The Lortel Awards for her performance in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, as well as the Theatre World Award for her role in A Raisin in the Sun.

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Videos